So, my car has unofficially been on sale for a couple months now. I haven't yet posted anything, I did work with a potential buyer, but that deal was just an agreement in principle and then fell thru. As I was contemplating how to put it up for sale, an interesting thing happened. I went to one of the BMW dealerships in the area to service my 330ci, and while I waited, I sat down with the guy who sold me my car, and we went over some hypothetical numbers on an E46 M3.

Then at some point, I threw in the idea of trading the ITR in, instead of selling it on my own, and then using the proceeds as a down payment for the M3. I was just curious to see if I'd get a super low-ball offer. Lo and behold, he goes and makes some calls, come back, and says they can give me $18K for the ITR.


I was shocked, of course, as this is only about $2000 or so less than what I was going to sell it for. And then, you factor in the trade-in credit, it actually comes very close. So, look at these numbers, and tell me if I should just trade the car-in. I'm leaning very heavily in that direction, because for a few hundred less $$, there's no hassle of dealing with anyone thru private party.

Car:
2001 NBP ITR
23,700 miles, inside/outside excellent condition, returned to bone stock (just had a Toda Header/T1R Exhaust, and was maybe driven 200-300 miles that way)

Scenario 1:

2006 M3: $52K (what I would offer the car)
ITR as trade-in: $18K
Tax on the difference: (52K-18K) x 8.8 = $2992
License + reg: $225

Total for the M3: $37217

Scenario 2:

2006 M3: $52K
Down: $20K (assuming I could sell the car)
Tax (on $52K): $4576
License + reg: $225

Total for the M3: $36801

So, for a difference of about $400, I think it's pretty much a no-brainer to accept this trade-in, instead of trying to sell the car on my own. Thoughts?

 

All I have to say is, if I had an E46 330 already, I'd keep the R. Or trade the 330 in for an M. E46 M3 would be cool, but cost/fun factor goes to the ITR.

The new M3's supposed to be debuting next year anyway, so wait for that if you really want an M. (V8, 400HP)

*but if it really HAS to be those two scenerios, I'd just trade the car in. Who really cares about the $400 difference?

 

This deal sounds pretty solid. Now, you may have to sit on your ITR for a few months until the right buyer comes along, as you have already experienced. If you think you have a buyer no problem @ $20k without a problem or having to wait 2-6 months for it to actually happen, then this would be the way to go.

Sounds like you have a very clean and low mileage ITR that most people should not look past if they are in the market for an ITR.

Now, ask yourself, do you really want to get rid of the ITR? If that answer is yes, then this might be a wise decision as far as trading it in. = No wait time. But if you need to think about it, you will have plenty of time to do that if you list it up for sale.

Good Luck!!! I love M3's .... and even test drove one before I even had a Honda.

 

One tip,

Negotiate a price on the M3 without the trade-in. They fudge that stuff, they make their money one way or another.

If you need to, use another dealer to negotiate a good M3 price, and bring that price to this dealer that gave you the trade-in price.

-Chris

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris F &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">One tip,

Negotiate a price on the M3 without the trade-in. They fudge that stuff, they make their money one way or another.


-Chris</TD></TR></TABLE>

No doubt about that. Get the Invoice/ tissue on it. I bet if you make an offer of $500-1000 over the amount the dealer paid, they will let it go.

 

how optioned is the m? every single new one I have ever seen is 60+ (smg/nav etc).

 

The M3 is marginally loaded. I'm getting about $2000 off MSRP, which here in Washington State is almost unheard of. Even around the country, places like SoCal, Texas, etc, people usually get about MSRP -&gt; $1000 off, but with M3s, it's really hard to get the car at invoice or just above. I'm a regular at the M3 forum, and been doing research for months. $2000 off MSRP is a very good deal by most accounts.

Nice discount on the M3 + very good trade-in on the ITR is making this hard to resist. I'll also be selling the 330, so I just want to consolidate for while and get back into tracking with an EVO or something in a year or 2.

 

well hell i guess i would do it then 330's are awesome cars too though

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fso_BamBam &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Tax on the difference: (52K-18K) x 8.8 = $2992</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is that correct? I never realized you only pay the difference.

Anyhow, almost 9% is outragous. NC is only 3% if I remember correctly; I haven't bought a car in a year and a half.

 

Trade them both in and see what they'd give you...

 

Trade it, selling privately usually turns into a hassle and for the diff of a couple hundred I would just trade it. GL

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hadboosttroy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well hell i guess i would do it then 330's are awesome cars too though</TD></TR></TABLE>

do the e46 m3 motors still blow up on regular accounts of using them?

 

no

 

I jumped at a 16K trade in. 18K? Doooooo it.

 

If it were me and I could afford it no doubt I'd go for it!

 

I'm meeting with the dealer again next week to make it official. If nothing changes, then I'll probably sign the papers to order the car and hopefully pick it up in 2 months. $18K trade-in is as good as it gets, on top of the discount for the M3. With the 2005-06 models, they've fixed all the bugs and other engine problems that plagued the earlier years ('01-03).

It's safe to say the M3 is a "worthy" replacement for the ITR.

 

Can i ask why you'd want a 330ci and an M3? I'd be tempted to trade the 330 against an M3 and hold on to the ITR, just so as to have 2 totally different cars and not 2 beemers. But if trading the 330 is not an option then yes you'd be mad not to trade the ITR for the sake of a few hundred $$$...it could actually end up costing you that alone advertising it if you didnt get a private sale straight off

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mugenracer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can i ask why you'd want a 330ci and an M3? I'd be tempted to trade the 330 against an M3 and hold on to the ITR, just so as to have 2 totally different cars and not 2 beemers. But if trading the 330 is not an option then yes you'd be mad not to trade the ITR for the sake of a few hundred $$$...it could actually end up costing you that alone advertising it if you didnt get a private sale straight off </TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, I'm selling the 330ci as well, I think I mentioned that somewhere. Otherwise, I agree, makes no sense to have two BMWs, I couldn't afford that to begin with.